Wearable device with input and output structures

ABSTRACT

An electronic device includes a band configured to be worn on the head of a user. The band has a central portion and first and second temple portions extending therefrom. The central portion is configured to contact a portion of the face of a user, and the temple portions are configured to contact portions of the head of the user near ears thereof. An operational unit having a display element is affixed to the first temple portion and includes a housing having an arm defining a longitudinal axis. The housing also includes an elbow portion defining a display end that supports the display element such that it extends along a display axis angled with respect to the longitudinal axis and such that the display element is positionable over an eye of the user. Image generating means are disposed within the housing for generating an image presentable on the display element.

BACKGROUND

Personal video or image displays are devices that are used to display animage received from a source for viewing by a single user. Such devicescan be in the form of head-mounted displays that are worn on the head ofa user and include one or more image sources over or in front of theuser's eyes. Head-mounted displays can include an image sourcepositioned adjacent and associated with each eye of the user or wearerand can be configured to present the same image, viewable as a singletwo-dimensional image. Alternatively, some such devices can beconfigured to present different stereoscopic images that are interpretedby the viewer as a single three-dimensional image. Regardless of thetype of image presented to the user, such devices are usuallyblacked-out. That is, they almost entirely obstruct the wearer's visionoutside of the screen or other image source included therein so that theuser can see nothing but the image presented by the device's displaysystem.

Other personal image displays can be what is referred to as a heads-updisplay, wherein the image is displayed on, in, or through a transparentdisplay that superimpose the displayed image over a view of thesurrounding environment. These allow the user to view the imagepresented by the display simultaneously with their surroundings. Suchdevices, however, can have many limitations, including in their fit andcomfort to their wearers as well as limited functionality.

Both head-mounted and heads-up displays can be connected to a videosource that receives a video signal that the device can read and convertinto the image that they present to the user. The video source can bereceived from a portable device such as a video player, a portable mediaplayer or computers. Some such display devices are also configured toreceive sound signals, which are delivered to the user typically throughincorporated headphones. The functionality of these types of displaysis, however, limited to passive actions wherein the display simplyreceives information from an external source and presents it to thewearer in limited forms. Accordingly, further advances in wearabledevices including displays have been needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electronic deviceincluding a band configured to be worn on the head of a user. The bandhas a central portion and first and second temple portions extendingfrom opposing sides of the central portion. The central portion isconfigured to contact a portion of the face of a user, and the templeportions are configured to contact portions of the head of the user nearrespective ears thereof. The device also includes an operational unithaving a display element and a housing having an arm portion affixed tothe first temple portion of the band and defining a longitudinal axis.The housing also includes an elbow portion defining a display end of thehousing that supports the display element such that the display elementextends along a display axis that is angled with respect to thelongitudinal axis and such that the display element is positionable overan eye of the user. The operational unit also has image generating meansdisposed within the housing and configured for generating an imagepresentable to the user on the display element. The display element canbe a generally transparent prism configured to combine the imagepresentable to the user thereon with a user view through the displayelement.

The operational unit can further include an input device affixed to thehousing and configured for receiving from the user an input associatedwith a function that is related to information that is presentable onthe display element. In an example, the housing of the operational unitcan define an outer wall, and the input device can includetouch-sensitive circuitry disposed within the housing adjacent to theouter wall, the touch-sensitive circuitry being configured to receive atouch input from the user through the outer wall. In such an example,the touch-sensitive circuitry can be disposed behind a portion of theouter wall, and an outside surface of the outer wall can includes atexture defined therein in an area that overlies the touch-sensitivecircuitry.

The display axis can be angled at between about 80° and 110° withrespect to the longitudinal axis. Further, in an example, the armportion and the elbow portion can be discrete elements rotatably affixedto each other about a rotation axis substantially parallel to thedisplay axis such that the display element is adjustable toward and awayfrom a brow area of the user's head by rotation of the elbow portionrelative to the arm portion. In such an example, the rotation axis canbe positionable such that it aligns with a focal center of the user'seye. The display element can include a planar viewing surface, and therotation of the display element about the focal center of the user's eyecan be such that the planar viewing surface remains substantially normalto a line extending therefrom to the focal center through a range ofadjustment of the display element.

The arm portion of the housing can include a first track element that isconfigured to slideably attach with a second track element included onone of the first and second temple portions of the band. In such anexample, the slidable engagement between the first and second trackelements can be configured to allow adjustment of the display elementtoward and away from an eye of the user.

At least one electronic element can be disposed within an interiorcavity of the band. In an example, the at least one electronic elementcan be electrically connected with the image generating means of theoperational unit.

Each of the first and second temple portions can respectively define afirst end and a second end in an embodiment wherein the band is of aflexible structure. In such an embodiment, the first end and second endcan be moveable toward and away from each other to provide a securingforce of the first and second temple portions against the respectiveportions of the head of the user. In an example, the band can include aflexible outer portion disposed around a more rigid and resilientlyflexible structural member. In another example, the band can include aresiliently flexible structural shell that at least partially surroundsa pliable inner member. The pliable inner member can include an innersurface defining the portions of the band that are configured forcontact with the face of the user and the head of the user. Thestructural shell can be disposed on a side of the band opposite theinner surface of the pliable member.

The portion of the face that the central portion is configured tocontact can be a portion of the forehead of the user disposed toward thebrow thereof. Alternatively, in an embodiment wherein the centralportion of the band further includes a nosepiece depending therefrom,the portion of the face of the user that the central portion isconfigured to contact can be a portion of the nose of the user, and thenosepiece can makes such contact.

The device can further include a camera having a lens thereof. Thecamera can be attached to the operational unit such that the lens of thecamera is exposed on the housing within the elbow portion thereof and isdirected substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. Theoperational unit can further include a button configured to receive fromthe user an input to direct the device to capture an image using thecamera. The button can be positioned on the housing such that it isconfigured to be activated by the user by applying a pinching motion tothe housing including contact with the button. The camera canalternatively be attached to the band such that the lens of the camerais exposed thereon and is directed substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis. The device can further include a plurality of camerashaving respective lenses thereof, the cameras being attached to the bandin an array thereof extending over a length of the band.

The device can further include an audio output device affixed to one ofthe temple portions of the band configured for contact with a portion ofone of the user's ears. The output can further be configured to deliveran audio output of the device to the ear.

The band can further include a flexible retention member connectedbetween the first and second temple portions at ends thereof oppositethe central portion. The flexible retention member can define aninterior cavity with conductive connections disposed therein. Theconductive connections can be configured for connecting with a batteryand to supply current from the battery to the image generating means.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electronic deviceincluding a band configured to be worn on the head of a user. The bandincludes a central portion and first and second temple portionsextending from opposing sides of the central portion to respective endsthereof. The central portion is configured to contact a portion of theface of a user and the temple portions are configured to contactportions of the head of the user near respective ears thereof. The bandfurther includes an electronics housing affixed on the end of the firsttemple portion and having a portion that is configured to extend aroundat least a portion of the respective ear of the user. The electronicshousing contains an electronic element therein. The device furtherincludes an operational unit including a display element. Theoperational unit also includes a housing having an arm portion affixedto the first temple portion of the band and defining a longitudinalaxis. The housing also has an elbow portion defining a display end ofthe housing and supporting the display element such that the displayelement extends along a display axis that is angled with respect to thelongitudinal axis and such that the display element is positionable overan eye of the user. The operational unit also includes image generatingmeans disposed within the housing and configured for generating an imagepresentable to the user on the display element. The image generatingmeans are electrically connected with the electronic element of theband. The operational unit can further include an input device affixedto the housing and connected with the at least one electronic element ofthe band.

The electronic element can include conductive connections configured forconnecting with a battery to supply current from the battery to theimage generating means. Additionally or alternatively, the electronicelement can include electronic circuitry configured to perform afunction associated with the device.

The operational unit can be positioned on a first side of the respectiveear of the user such that it has a center of mass at a point disposed onthe first side of the ear, and wherein the electronics housing isconfigured to extend around at least a portion of the same ear of theuser, the electronics housing being configured to have a center of massat a point disposed on a second side of the ear of the user. Theelectronics housing can be further configured such that an overallweight of the device, when being worn by the user, is distributed amongthe portion of the face of the user and the ear of the user such that agreater portion of the overall weight is applied to the ear.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electronic deviceincluding a band configured to be worn on the head of a user. The bandincludes a central portion and first and second temple portionsextending from opposing sides of the central portion. The centralportion is configured to contact a portion of the face of a user and thetemple portions are configured to contact portions of the head of theuser near respective ears thereof. The device also includes anoperational unit having a display element and a housing. The housing hasan arm portion affixed to the band and defining a longitudinal axis andan outer wall. The housing also has an elbow portion defining a displayend of the housing and supporting the display element such that thedisplay element extends along a display axis that is angled with respectto the longitudinal axis and such that the display element ispositionable over an eye of the user. T Additionally or alternatively,the electronic element can include electronic circuitry configured toperform a function associated with the device. Image generating meansare disposed within the housing and are configured for generating animage presentable to the user on the display element. Touch-sensitivecircuitry is disposed within the housing adjacent to the outer wall. Thetouch-sensitive circuitry is configured to receive a touch input fromthe user through the outer wall, the input being associated with afunction that is related to information presentable on the displayelement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system for receiving, transmitting, anddisplaying data;

FIG. 2 shows an alternate view of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A shows an example system for receiving, transmitting, anddisplaying data;

FIG. 3B shows an example system for receiving, transmitting, anddisplaying data;

FIG. 4 shows an example system for receiving, transmitting, anddisplaying data;

FIG. 5 shows a wearable computer device according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows the assembly of FIG. 7 being worn on the head of a user;

FIG. 7A-7C show the device of FIG. 5 in exemplary adjustmentconfigurations thereof;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic drawings illustrating aspects of thedevice of FIGS. 7A-C;

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a wearable computer deviceaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of the device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of a wearable computer deviceaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of a wearable computer deviceaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of a wearable computer deviceaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein withreference to the drawing figures. FIG. 1 illustrates an example system100 for receiving, transmitting, and displaying data. The system 100 isshown in the form of a wearable computing device. While FIG. 1illustrates a head-mounted device 102 as an example of a wearablecomputing device, other types of wearable computing devices couldadditionally or alternatively be used. As illustrated in FIG. 1, thehead-mounted device 102 comprises frame elements including lens-frames104, 106 and a center frame support 108, lens elements 110, 112, andextending side-arms 114, 116. The center frame support 108 and theextending side-arms 114, 116 are configured to secure the head-mounteddevice 102 to a user's face via a user's nose and ears, respectively.

Each of the frame elements 104, 106, and 108 and the extending side-arms114, 116 may be formed of a solid structure of plastic and/or metal, ormay be formed of a hollow structure of similar material so as to allowwiring and component interconnects to be internally routed through thehead-mounted device 102. Other materials may be possible as well.

One or more of each of the lens elements 110, 112 may be formed of anymaterial that can suitably display a projected image or graphic. Each ofthe lens elements 110, 112 may also be sufficiently transparent to allowa user to see through the lens element. Combining these two features ofthe lens elements may facilitate an augmented reality or heads-updisplay where the projected image or graphic is superimposed over areal-world view as perceived by the user through the lens elements.

The extending side-arms 114, 116 may each be projections that extendaway from the lens-frames 104, 106, respectively, and may be positionedbehind a user's ears to secure the head-mounted device 102 to the user.The extending side-arms 114, 116 may further secure the head-mounteddevice 102 to the user by extending around a rear portion of the user'shead. Additionally or alternatively, for example, the system 100 mayconnect to or be affixed within a head-mounted helmet structure. Otherpossibilities exist as well.

The system 100 may also include an on-board computing system 118, avideo camera 120, a sensor 122, and a finger-operable touch pad 124. Theon-board computing system 118 is shown to be positioned on the extendingside-arm 114 of the head-mounted device 102; however, the on-boardcomputing system 118 may be provided on other parts of the head-mounteddevice 102 or may be positioned remote from the head-mounted device 102(e.g., the on-board computing system 118 could be wire- orwirelessly-connected to the head-mounted device 102). The on-boardcomputing system 118 may include a processor and memory, for example.The on-board computing system 118 may be configured to receive andanalyze data from the video camera 120 and the finger-operable touch pad124 (and possibly from other sensory devices, user interfaces, or both)and generate images for output by the lens elements 110 and 112.

The video camera 120 is shown positioned on the extending side-arm 114of the head-mounted device 102; however, the video camera 120 may beprovided on other parts of the head-mounted device 102. The video camera120 may be configured to capture images at various resolutions or atdifferent frame rates. Many video cameras with a small form-factor, suchas those used in cell phones or webcams, for example, may beincorporated into an example of the system 100.

Further, although FIG. 1 illustrates one video camera 120, more videocameras may be used, and each may be configured to capture the sameview, or to capture different views. For example, the video camera 120may be forward facing to capture at least a portion of the real-worldview perceived by the user. This forward facing image captured by thevideo camera 120 may then be used to generate an augmented reality wherecomputer generated images appear to interact with the real-world viewperceived by the user.

The sensor 122 is shown on the extending side-arm 116 of thehead-mounted device 102; however, the sensor 122 may be positioned onother parts of the head-mounted device 102. The sensor 122 may includeone or more of a gyroscope or an accelerometer, for example. Othersensing devices may be included within, or in addition to, the sensor122 or other sensing functions may be performed by the sensor 122.

The finger-operable touch pad 124 is shown on the extending side-arm 114of the head-mounted device 102. However, the finger-operable touch pad124 may be positioned on other parts of the head-mounted device 102.Also, more than one finger-operable touch pad may be present on thehead-mounted device 102. The finger-operable touch pad 124 may be usedby a user to input commands. The finger-operable touch pad 124 may senseat least one of a position and a movement of a finger via capacitivesensing, resistance sensing, or a surface acoustic wave process, amongother possibilities. The finger-operable touch pad 124 may be capable ofsensing finger movement in a direction parallel or planar to the padsurface, in a direction normal to the pad surface, or both, and may alsobe capable of sensing a level of pressure applied to the pad surface.The finger-operable touch pad 124 may be formed of one or moretranslucent or transparent insulating layers and one or more translucentor transparent conducting layers. Edges of the finger-operable touch pad124 may be formed to have a raised, indented, or roughened 20 surface,so as to provide tactile feedback to a user when the user's fingerreaches the edge, or other area, of the finger-operable touch pad 124.If more than one finger-operable touch pad is present, eachfinger-operable touch pad may be operated independently, and may providea different function.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate view of the system 100 illustrated inFIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the lens elements 110, 112 may act asdisplay elements. The head-mounted device 102 may include a firstprojector 128 coupled to an inside surface of the extending side-arm 116and configured to project a display 130 onto an inside surface of thelens element 112. Additionally or alternatively, a second projector 132may be coupled to an inside surface of the extending side-arm 114 andconfigured to project a display 134 onto an inside surface of the lenselement 110.

The lens elements 110, 112 may act as a combiner in a light projectionsystem and may include a coating that reflects the light projected ontothem from the projectors 128, 132. In some embodiments, a reflectivecoating may not be used (e.g., when the projectors 128, 132 are scanninglaser devices).

In alternative embodiments, other types of display elements may also beused. For example, the lens elements 110, 112 themselves may include: atransparent or semi-transparent matrix display, such as anelectroluminescent display or a liquid crystal display, one or morewaveguides for delivering an image to the user's eyes, or other opticalelements capable of delivering an in focus near-to-eye image to theuser. A corresponding display driver may be disposed within the frameelements 104, 106 for driving such a matrix display. Alternatively oradditionally, a laser or LED source and scanning system could be used todraw a raster display directly onto the retina of one or more of theuser's eyes. Other possibilities exist as well.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example system 200 for receiving, transmitting,and displaying data. The system 200 is shown in the form of a wearablecomputing device 202. The wearable computing device 202 may includeframe elements and side-arms such as those described with respect toFIGS. 1 and 2. The wearable computing device 202 may additionallyinclude an on-board computing system 204 and a video camera 206, such asthose described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. The video camera 206 isshown mounted on a frame of the wearable computing device 202; however,the video camera 206 may be mounted at other positions as well.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the wearable computing device 202 may include asingle display 208 which may be coupled to the device. The display 208may be formed on one of the lens elements of the wearable computingdevice 202, such as a lens element described with respect to FIGS. 1 and2, and may be configured to overlay computer-generated graphics in theuser's view of the physical world. The display 208 is shown to beprovided in a center of a lens of the wearable computing device 202,however, the display 208 may be provided in other positions. The display208 is controllable via the computing system 204 that is coupled to thedisplay 208 via an optical waveguide 210.

FIG. 3B illustrates an example system 220 for receiving, transmitting,and displaying data. The system 220 is shown in the form of a wearablecomputing device 222. The wearable computing device 222 may includeside-arms 223, a center frame support 224, and a bridge portion withnosepiece 225. In the example shown in FIG. 3B, the center frame support224 connects the side-arms 223. The wearable computing device 222 doesnot include lens-frames containing lens elements. The wearable computingdevice 222 may additionally include an onboard computing system 226 anda video camera 228, such as those described with respect to FIGS. 1 and2.

The wearable computing device 222 may include a single lens element 230that may be coupled to one of the side-arms 223 or the center framesupport 224. The lens element 230 may include a display such as thedisplay described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and may be configuredto overlay computer-generated graphics upon the user's view of thephysical world. In one example, the single lens element 230 may becoupled to the inner side (i.e., the side exposed to a portion of auser's head when worn by the user) of the extending side-arm 223. Thesingle lens element 230 may be positioned in front of or proximate to auser's eye when the wearable computing device 222 is worn by a user. Forexample, the single lens element 230 may be positioned below the centerframe support 224, as shown in FIG. 3B.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic drawing of an example computer networkinfrastructure. In system 300, a device 310 communicates using acommunication link 320 (e.g., a wired or wireless connection) to aremote device 330. The device 310 may be any type of device that canreceive data and display information corresponding to or associated withthe data. For example, 10 the device 310 may be a heads-up displaysystem, such as the head-mounted device 102, 200, or 220 described withreference to FIGS. 1-3B.

Thus, the device 310 may include a display system 312 comprising aprocessor 314 and a display 316. The display 310 may be, for example, anoptical see-through display, an optical see-around display, or a videosee-through display. The processor 314 may receive data from the remotedevice 330, and configure the data for display on the display 316. Theprocessor 314 may be any type of processor, such as a microprocessor ora digital signal processor, for example.

The device 310 may further include on-board data storage, such as memory318 coupled to the processor 314. The memory 318 may store software thatcan be accessed and executed by the processor 314, for example.

The remote device 330 may be any type of computing device or transmitterincluding a laptop computer, a mobile telephone, or tablet computingdevice, etc., that is configured to transmit data to the device 310. Theremote device 330 and the device 310 may contain hardware to enable thecommunication link 320, such as processors, transmitters, receivers,antennas, etc.

In FIG. 4, the communication link 320 is illustrated as a wirelessconnection; however, wired connections may also be used. For example,the communication link 320 may be a wired serial bus such as a universalserial bus or a parallel bus. A wired connection may be a proprietaryconnection as well. The communication link 320 may also be a wirelessconnection using, e.g., Bluetooth® radio technology, communicationprotocols described in IEEE 802.11 (including any IEEE 802.11revisions), Cellular technology (such as GSM, CDMA, UMTS, EVDO, WiMAX,or LTE), or Zigbee® technology, among other possibilities. The remotedevice 330 may be accessible via the Internet and may include acomputing cluster associated with a particular web service (e.g.,social-networking, photo sharing, address book, etc.).

FIGS. 5-15, which do not adhere to the same numbering scheme used inFIGS. 1-4, illustrate an embodiment of a wearable device that canimplement the various systems discussed above with reference to FIGS.1-4. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a device 410 that is wearable on thehead of the user (as shown in FIG. 6). As will be described in greaterdetail below, device 410 includes a band 412 that provides the desiredfit of device 410 on a user's head. Device 410 further includes a boom414 that extends from a portion of band 412 to a free end 416 thereofthat includes a display element 454. Boom 414 is affixed to band 412such that when device 410 is properly worn by a user display 454 of boom414 can be positioned adjacent the user's eye for making an imagepresented thereon viewable by the user. In this manner, the boom 414 isconfigured as a unit of the device 410 that carries out at least oneoperation of the device 410, namely presenting an image to the user.Additional operations can also be carried out by boom 414, which canalso include an input device in the form of a touch-based input 470 thatis accessible to the user to receive a touch input from the user toexecute a control function of the device assembly 410 or a function ofanother electronic device that is connected or in communication withdevice assembly 410.

Band 412 is shown in FIG. 5 as having a unitary configuration thatgenerally includes a central portion 430 with arms 440A,440B extendingaway from opposite sides of the central portion 430. FIG. 6 shows anexample of one position in which band 412 can be worn on a user's head.As shown, band 412 can be configured to fit on the head of a user withcentral portion 430 positioned over a portion of the face of the user.Specifically, FIG. 6 shows central portion 430 in contact with the browof the user such as by extending along a portion of the brow in contacttherewith. In general, the user's face can be considered any portionwith in the area defined vertically from the user's chin to the top ofthe forehead and horizontally from ear to ear. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 5 and 6, the portion of the brow that central portion 430 makescontact with can vary, both depending on the size and shape of centralportion 430 and the shape of the particular user's head. In anembodiment, the central portion 430 makes contact with enough of thebrow to maintain the position of central portion 430 thereon, dependingon the fit on the user's head achieved by other features of band 412.Band 412 can be made of or otherwise be covered by a high-frictionmaterial, such as rubber, at least in the desired area for such contact.In an embodiment, central portion 430 is in an arched shape toaccommodate the generally rounded shape of a human forehead. Band 412can be constructed of a flexible material to allow central portion 430to bend in response to different individual brow or head shapes.

Arms 440A,440B can be configured to contact the head of the user alongrespective temples or in the area of respective ears of the user. Arms440A,440B include respective free ends 444 opposite central portion 430.Free ends 444 can be positioned to be located near the ear of a userwhen wearing device assembly 410. Ear portions 446 can be affixed to orintegrally formed with the free ends 444 of the arms 440A,440B. As shownin FIG. 5 ear portions 446 can include an arched or curved form, asshown in the figures, such that they bend behind a portion of the backof the user's ear. As with eyeglasses, the particular shape of earportions 446 can vary in many ways including the amount by which theybend, the distance around the ear which they extend and the amount ofcontact, if any, actually maintained with the outside of the ear. Arms440 can be structured to appropriately position ear portions 446relative to central portion 430 to achieve an appropriate fit for a useror a selection of different users. The shape of arms 440 can,accordingly, depend on the size and shape of central portion 430. Forexample, arms 440 can extend substantially rearward from central portion430 substantially perpendicular thereto and can be substantiallystraight. In other embodiments, arms 440 can be angled inward, outward,upward, or downward relative to central portion 430 and can further becurved in any direction (or multiple directions) to achieve a desiredfit or aesthetic quality.

As mentioned previously, earpieces 446 can be integrally formed withband arms 440 or can be separate elements that can be pre-assembled witharms 440. Alternatively, a number of different earpieces 446 can beprovided that can be removably attached to ends 444 of arms 440according to fit or the user's preferences. In such configurations,earpieces 446 can be made of different materials or materialcombinations than the remainder of band 412. In a further embodiment,earpieces 446 can extend substantially in-line with arms 440 or canextend inward therefrom, rather than downward, to a position where theyrest over the ear on a topmost area thereof but do not hook around theear. In such an embodiment earpieces 446 or arms 440 can be configuredto exert a pressure against the side of the user's head to at leastpartially retain frame 412 on the user's head using friction generatedthrough the pressure.

Band 412 can be made from a resiliently flexible material or combinationof materials. Such a construction can permit arms, including ends 444thereof to flex outwardly away from each other to accommodate heads ofdifferent sizes. Further, the structure can be configured so that at aresting, or un-flexed, position (such as when not being worn) band 412is somewhat smaller than necessary to accommodate the smallest size head(within a given range of head sizes) that band 412 is intended to beworn on. This may require some degree of flexing by band 412 when worn,resulting in band 412 applying a force against the user's head due toits tendency to return to its undersized resting position. Such a forcecan help retain band 412 on the user's head, with or without the furtherretention provided by earpieces 446. As with central portion 430, atleast a portion of the arms 440, such as the areas thereof that makecontact with the user's head, can be made from or otherwise coated witha rubber or another high-friction material. The use of rubber or thelike in these contact areas can also increase the comfort to the user byspreading out the contact more evenly. Such a structure can achieve atleast three points of contact with the user's head, which can give adesired level of stability to the assembly 410, when worn. Band 412 canbe further configured to provide additional points of contact, such astwo points of contact within central portion 430 or continuous contactalong the user's head. These types of fit can also result from theparticular shape of the user's head.

Suitable materials for band 412 to achieve the above-describedcharacteristics include various plastics, which can be overmolded,co-molded, or insert molded with rubber, such as thermoplastic elastomer(“TPE”) materials in the desired contact areas or covering anyrelatively harder plastic entirely. Additionally, rubber or TPE can bemolded or assembled over metal, such as spring steel or the like. Insuch an embodiment, a high yield strength metal, such as spring steelcan be used to prevent plastic (or permanent) deformation of the desiredshape of band 412. Similarly, earpieces 446 can be made from plastic ormetal and can be at least partially coated with or covered by rubber orTPE elements for increased friction or comfort.

In variations of the band described above, central portion 430 and arms440A and 440B can each be separate elements that can be affixedtogether. In one embodiment, arms 440A,440B can be affixed to centralportion 430 by hinges to allow the structure to be folded for storage ortransportation. Such hinges can be spring-loaded to permit flexuretherein instead of in central portion 430 or arms 440A,440B.

In the embodiment shown, boom 414 includes a housing 452 that extendsfrom band 412 at an arm portion 476 that can be elongated and to extendaway from band 412 to an elbow portion 450 that supports display 454 atan angle relative to arm 476 (which is shown having an elongated shapeso as to define a longitudinal axis therethrough). As shown in thefigures, display 454, which is also elongated and generally defines adisplay axis, can extend relative to arm portion 476 at an angle thatcan range from about 80° to about 110°. In an embodiment, display 454 isangled with respect to arm portion 476 at approximately 90°. Elbowportion 450 can be curved, as shown in the figures, or can include abend formed by a sharp corner or can be configured such that display 454projects directly outwardly from near arm portion 476 at the desiredangle. In an embodiment, the image source associated with display 454and its related circuitry can be held within housing 452 in elbowportion 450 thereof. Touch-based input can be positioned within armportion 476 such that, when display 454 is positioned over a user's eye,arm portion 476 is positioned in a position that extends over the user'stemple adjacent that eye.

In the embodiment shown, display 454 is in the form of agenerally-transparent prism that is configured to overlay or combinewith the user's sight an image generated by electronic displaycomponents that are positioned within the housing 452. Such a prism canbe structured to receive a projected image in a receiving side 458 andto make that image visible to a user by looking into a viewing side 460of display 454. This can be done by configuring display 454 with aspecific shape and or material characteristics. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5 the receiving side 458 of display 454 is adjacent to or withinhousing 452 such that the electronic components inside housing 452 cancontain a video projector structured to project the desired video imageinto receiving side 458 of prism 454. Such projectors can include animage source such as LCD, CRT, and OLED displays and a lens, if needed,for focusing the image on an appropriate area of prism 454. Theelectronic components associated with display 454 can also includecontrol circuitry for causing the projector to generate the desiredimage based on a video signal received thereby. Other types of displaysand image sources are discussed above and can also be incorporated intoboom 414. Further, a display can be in the form of a video screenconsisting of, for example, a transparent substrate. In such an example,the image generating means can be circuitry for a LCD display, a CRTdisplay or the like positioned directly behind the screen such that theoverall display is not transparent. The housing of the boom can extendbehind the display and the image generating means to enclose the imagegenerating means in such an embodiment.

The receiving surface 458 of display 454 can be perpendicular to theviewing surface 460 of prism 454 such that a transparent prism can beused to combine the projected image with the view of the environmentsurrounding the wearer of the device. This allows the user to observeboth the surrounding environment and the image projected into prism 454.The prism 454 and the display electronics can be configured to presentan opaque or semi-transparent image, or combinations thereof, to achievevarious desired image combinations.

Boom 414 is attached to band 412 in a manner to properly positiondisplay 450 at a distance away from the user's eye. As shown in theembodiment of FIG. 5, arm portion 476 is configured to be positionedover a temple of the user's head when being worn. In such a position,arm portion 476 is positioned adjacent a corresponding arm 440A or 440Bof band 412. Accordingly, boom 414 can be attached to band 412 at alocation between the arm portion 476 of the boom 414 and a correspondingarm 440A or 440B of band 412. In an example, arm portion 476 can beaffixed to and extend away from band 412 along a longitudinal axis ofthe arm portion 476 that is tangent to a portion of the arm 440A or 440Bat the point of attachment. Arm portion 476 can, thus, diverge from band412 as the band 412 curves inward to contact the user's brow along thecentral portion 430 thereof and as arm portion 476 continues to extendforward to extend along its longitudinal axis. This can allow for atleast approximately appropriate positioning of display 454 over theuser's eye on the side of the arm 440A or 440B to which the boom 414 isattached given the angle at which elbow portion 450 positions display454 relative to arm 476 of housing 452.

Boom 414 can attach to band 412 using any one of a number of differentstructures. In one embodiment, boom 414 can be integrally formed withband 412 at a converging point therebetween. In a similar example, aportion of the housing 452 of boom 414 (such as an inside portionthereof that is positioned adjacent the user's head when being worn) canbe integrally formed with the band 412. In such an example, theremaining portions of housing 452 can then be assembled therewith usingscrews, snap-fit or press-fit structures, adhesive, ultrasonic weldingor the like. In other embodiments, boom 414 can be attached to band 412using screws or other fasteners or snap-fit or press-fit structureslocated on mutually-engaging portions thereof. Further structures arepossible that allow for some degree of adjustment between the boom 414and the band 412. For example, a sliding joint can be used to attachboom 414 to band 412. Such a sliding joint can be in the form of adovetail or similar joint within an element that serves as a track orguide and another element that engages the track or guide. Rotatingjoints are also possible and can be implemented using thepreviously-discussed screw or snap-fit structures. Other attachmentstructures are discussed below with reference to further embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

It is also noted that, although the embodiment of FIG. 5 shows a boom414 that is attached to band 412 such that it is positioned over theleft eye of a user when being worn, other similar embodiments arepossible in which a mirror-image of boom 414 can be attached on anopposite side of band 412 to make it positionable over the right eye ofthe user. Depending on the application of device assembly 410 orindividual user preferences, it may be desirable to position boom 414 ona particular side of the user's head. For example, a right-handed personmay prefer having the boom 414 on the right side of her head to makeinteraction with touch-based input 470 easier. In another example, aperson may prefer to have the display 454 over a dominant eye for easierinteraction with elements presented on display 454 or over anon-dominant eye to make it easier to shift his focus away from elementspresented on display 454 when engaged in other activities.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, boom 414 can be attached to or otherwiseformed with band 412 such that boom 414 is positioned beneath band 412when in a position as when worn on a user's head. This configuration canbe advantageous due to the relative positions desired for display 454and central portion 430 of band 412. In particular, with central portion430 in a position over the brow of the user, it may be desired to havedisplay 454 positioned vertically below central portion 430 such that itis in at least a portion of the user's line of sight. Accordingly, in anembodiment this positioning is achieved by attaching boom 414 to band412 such that boom 414 is vertically beneath band 412, with exceptionmade for any interacting attachment elements of band 412 or boom 414.Other arrangements are possible, such as boom 414 attaching to band 412in an overlapping manner, with boom 414 positioned to the outside ofband 412 at the point of attachment. In such an arrangement, boom 414can angle downward, as necessary, to appropriately position display 454relative to the user's eye. This arrangement can also be used to providean assembly 410 that can be “flipped” to be worn with display 454 overeither eye, with boom 414 being appropriately rotated to be positionedbeneath band 412 regardless of the orientation of band 412 on the user'shead.

As mentioned previously, boom 414 can be made adjustable with respect toband 412 such that the user can wear band 412 on his or her head in acomfortable position and can then make adjustments to place display 454in a desired or appropriately functional position. For example, the usermay desire to position display directly in her line of sight (bothvertically and horizontally) or may desire to have display 454positioned above, below, or to the outside of his line of sight. Suchpositioning may vary depending on how the user is using device 410,making on-the-fly adjustments useful for some applications. In otherembodiments, such adjustment can be made within boom 414 itself,allowing a fixed attachment between boom 414 and band 412, while stillpermitting similar adjustments.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7, housing 452 is divided into a displayhousing 475 and an arm housing 476. As shown, display housing 475defines elbow portion 450 and has display 454 mounted thereon. Armhousing 476 substantially defines the arm portion of boom 414 and caninclude touch-based input 470, which can be a discrete element or can bean operable surface 474 of housing 452, as described above. In anembodiment, the display portion 475 and arm portion 476 of housing 452can be covered by a compliant outer layer (not shown). This outer layercan be made from a rubber material, for example, and can cover any jointbetween the two housing portions to give boom 414 a clean and uniformlook. A rotating joint between display portion 475 and arm portion 476can be used and can be formed by a separate element such as a pin or byintegrally-formed features such as a post and a mating hole that cansnap together. Additionally, an armature wire or a ball-and-socket jointcan be assembled between the display portion 475 and the arm portion 476to allow adjustment along additional axes. Such joints can also becovered by a compliant outer layer.

In this embodiment, display housing 475 can be rotatably affixed to armhousing 476. Boom 414 can then be attached to band 412 by any of thestructures discussed herein. The rotation of display housing 475 canimplement an additional or alternative form of adjustment for theposition of display 454 relative to the user's eye. As shown in FIG. 7B,display housing 475 can be rotated upward relative to arm housing 476.Further, as shown in FIG. 7C, display housing 475 can be rotateddownward relative to arm housing 476. In an embodiment, the point ofrotation 484 between display housing 475 and arm housing 476 can bepositioned near the focal center of a user's eye. This can beapproximated based on predetermined non-adjustable attachment structureson bands of varying sizes, as discussed above, or can be done thoughforward- and backward-adjustable attachment structures, such as thosedescribed above and also below with respect to FIG. 9.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and B, in certain structures of display 454, suchas certain display configurations (including the use of some types ofprisms), it can be beneficial to orient display 454 such that viewingsurface 460 is normal to a line from the image location within display454 to the focal center of the user's eye. By allowing rotation ofdisplay housing 475 and, thus, display 454 to rotate relative armhousing 476, the display 454 can be positioned in an optimal angle forviewing by users with different facial structures and differentpreferences for the horizontal or vertical position of display 454 orband 412. FIG. 8A shows display 554 at a location above the horizontalcenter 492 of the user's eye 490. Display 454 is pivoted or otherwiserotated about axis 484 that extends in a lateral direction relative tothe user's face (in and out of the page of FIG. 8A) such that surface460 is perpendicular to a line 494 extending between surface 460 and thefocal center 496 of the user's eye 490. It is noted that the diagramshown in FIG. 8A is only an example and different users can havedifferent locations of their eye's focal center. FIG. 8B shows display454 positioned vertically near the horizontal center 492 of the user'seye with display rotated accordingly for optimal viewing by the user, asdescribed above.

As discussed above, an input device in the form of a touch-based input470 is also desirably included in boom 414. Touch-based input 470 can bea touchpad or trackpad-type device configured to sense at least one of aposition and a movement of a finger via capacitive sensing, resistancesensing, or a surface acoustic wave process, among other possibilities.Touch-based input 470 can further be capable of sensing finger movementin a direction parallel or planar to a surface thereof, in a directionnormal to the surface, or both, and may also be capable of sensing alevel of pressure applied. Touch-based input 470 can be formed having anouter layer of one or more insulating, or dielectric, layers that can beopaque, translucent, or transparent and an inner layer of one or moreconducting layers that can be opaque, transparent, or translucent.

In an embodiment, the outer layer of the touch-based input 470 can be aportion of an outer wall 453 of housing 452. This can provide a seamlessor uniform incorporation of touch-based input 470 into housing 452. Thehousing can define an interior cavity for containing the inner layer ofthe touch-based input 470 and any electrical structures, such as controlcircuitry, associated therewith. The outer layer of the touch-basedinput 470 can include the entire wall 453 or a selected operable area472 in the form of one or more touch-surfaces 470 thereof, as dictatedby the size, shape, and position of the inner layer of the touch-basedinput 470. If a portion of the housing is to be used as the outer layerof the touch-based input 470, then the housing 452 can be made of adielectric material such as plastic. In an alternative embodiment, thetouch-based input can be a discrete element that is mounted in anopening in the housing 452 that includes its own dielectric outer layer,separate from wall 453 to define the operable area within a window oropening through wall 453 in a manner similar to a touchpad on a laptopcomputer.

In the embodiment shown, touch-based input 470 is positioned on armportion 476 and defines a vertical plane that overlies a portion of theside of the user's head. Accordingly, touch-based input 470 may not bevisible to a user of the assembly 410, when it is being worn. To helpthe user identify any operable areas 472 of touch-based input 470 thehousing 476 can be formed to have a texture provided by a raised,indented, or roughened surface so as to provide tactile feedback to auser when the user's finger contacts the touch surface 472. Such atexture can define the boundaries of the operable area 472, can beconsistent through the operable area 472, or can vary along horizontaland vertical lengths of the operable area 472 to give the user feedbackas to the location of a finger contacting operable area 472.

Touch-based input 470 can also include additional operable areas 472 onwall 453 or on other portions of housing 452, such as the top or bottomsurfaces thereof. This can be achieved by positioning capacitive sensorlayers, for example, beneath the selected housing surfaces. In otherembodiments, additional touch-based inputs can be provided in differentlocations of boom 413 such as on elbow portion 450. Each of thetouch-based inputs 470 can be operated independently, and can providedifferent functions. Additionally, housing 452 can include additionalinput structures, such as a button 474 that can provide additionalfunctionality for boom 414, including implementing a lock or sleepfeature or allowing a user to toggle the power for boom 414 between onand off states.

Touch-based input 470, or another type of input, can be used to providea control function that is executed by boom 414, such as by an on-boardCPU or a CPU mounted to or within an associated wearable structure, orby a remote device, such as a smartphone or a laptop computer. In anembodiment information related to the control function is viewable bythe user on display 454. In one example, the control function is theselection of a menu item. In such an example, a menu with a list ofoptions can be presented on display 454. The user can move a cursor orcan scroll through highlighted options by predetermined movement of afinger along touch-based input 470 and can confirm the selection by adifferent movement, the acceptance of the selection being indicated bythe display. Examples of menu item selections can include whether toanswer or decline an incoming call on a remotely-linked smartphone or toscroll or zoom-in on a map presented in display.

Additional input structures can be included in boom 414. These caninclude a camera 426 and a sensor 428, as shown in FIG. 5. The cameracan be used to take picture or record a video at the user's discretion.The camera can also be used by the device to obtain an image of theuser's view of his or her environment to use in implementing augmentedreality functionality. The sensor 428 can be, for example a light sensorthat can be used by firmware or software associated with the camera 426.As shown in FIG. 5, the camera and sensor can be included in a housing452 positioned within the elbow portion 450 and facing in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to viewing surface 460 of display 454. Insuch an arrangement, camera 426 is positioned to face in a directionalong the user's line of sight, and sensor 428 is positioned to senselight within the view of the camera 426. Other locations for the camera426 and sensor 428 are also possible. In an example, a camera ormultiple cameras can be positioned in band 412. Such an arrangement caninclude a single camera positioned near the central portion 430 such asin a position configured to be located between the user's eyes whendevice 410 is being worn. In another arrangement, a camera can bepositioned on band 412 such that each camera is aligned with arespective eye of the user when device 410 is being worn. In yet anotherarrangement, a series of cameras can be spaced apart at regularintervals along a length of band 412, such as across central portion430. In such an arrangement, sensors can 428 be interspersed betweencameras 426. Similarly, sensors can be positioned in band 412 near anycameras positioned therein in any other locations discussed.

In an embodiment, button 474 can be configured to receive an input fromthe user to direct device 410 to capture an image using camera 426 orone of multiple cameras of device 410. In an embodiment, the controlcircuitry or software within device 410 can allow the user to select oneor a plurality of multiple cameras with which to capture an image or“take a picture” before receiving an input using button 474 to actuallycapture the image using the selected camera. Button 474 can bepositioned on boom 414 along the top surface 467 of housing 452. Suchpositioning can allow for the user to grasp housing 452, for example,using the user's thumb positioned opposite from top surface 467, withthe user's index finger to press on button 474 in a pinching motion.This action can be similar to the motion used to activate a shutter in aconventional camera (e.g. a point-and-shoot or an SLR camera) or amotion used by people to mimic such a motion, making the use of button474 to take a picture with camera 474 more intuitive to a user.Additionally, the positioning of button 474 to be pressed in theabove-described pinching motion can result in a more stable activationof button 474, wherein the user's thumb provides support for boom 414when button 474 is pressed. Such stability can be further enhanced byconfiguring button 474 with a low activation pressure such that theforce applied thereto is low enough to not cause boom 414 to move duringimage capture.

As mentioned previously, housing 452 can contain electronic circuitrysuch as the circuitry for touch based input 470. In addition housing 452can include control circuitry for the image source associated withdisplay 454, the camera 426, or the sensor 428, or one or more circuitboards including a processor to control display 454, touch based input470 or to perform other functions for boom 414. Housing 452 can furtherinclude a power source, such as a battery to power the other circuitry.Additionally housing 452 can include memory, a microprocessor orcommunications devices, such as cellular, short-range wireless (e.g.Bluetooth), or WiFi circuitry for connection to a remote device.Additionally, any such circuitry can be included in band 414 such as inat least one of the earpieces 446, for example in an internal cavitythereof. As shown in FIG. 7, earpiece 446 can be configured to bepositioned behind or over the ear of the user while being worn. Earpiece446 can be further configured to contact a portion of the user's head tohelp secure the position of device assembly 410. Earpiece 446 can beconfigured to include a battery or multiple batteries of various forms,such as AAA, AA, or 9-volt style batteries. The battery can also be arechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion or nickel-cadmium battery andcan be removable by the user or can be permanent or semi-permanent.Earpiece 446 can also include a port (not shown) that can be used toconnect device assembly 410 to a power source to recharge a batterywithout removal thereof or to connect device 410 to a remote device forcommunication therewith, such as described above, or to update orinstall software or firmware included in the memory of device 410.

Earpiece 446 can be configured and positioned to provide a balancingweight to that of boom 414. Boom 414 is positioned forward of the user'sear, which can cause a portion of its weight to be supported over thebrow of the user. By adding weight behind the user's ear (or shiftingweight to behind the user's ear) in the form of earpiece 446, the earbecomes a fulcrum about which the weight of boom 414 is balanced againstthat of the earpiece 446. This can remove some of the weight on theuser's brow, giving a more comfortable, and possibly a more secure fitwith reduced potential slipping of central portion 430 downward on theuser's brow. The components within earpiece 446, such as a battery orvarious control circuitry can be arranged to contribute to a desiredweight distribution for device assembly 410. For example, heaviercomponents, such as a battery, can be placed toward or away from boom onarm 440A to adjust the weight distribution. In an embodiment, a majorityof the weight can be carried by the ear of the user, but some weight canstill be carried by the brow in order to give the device a secure feeland to keep the central portion 430 in a desired position on the brow tomaintain a desired position for display 454. In an embodiment, between55% and 90% of the weight of device assembly 410 can be carried by theuser's ear.

In a commercial setting, a number of different devices similar to device410 can be made available having respective bands 412 that areconfigured to fit different ranges of head sizes, such as “small”,“medium”, and “large”. Similarly, variations for left-eye boom positionand right eye boom positions within the various sizes can also be madeavailable. Further embodiments are also possible wherein various boomsand bands are interchangeable and can be individually sold. Furthervariations of devices can be made available with bands offeringdifferent fit styles (such as with earpieces or without or in varyingshapes) or colors.

In the present example, a single boom 414 is shown extending from band412. Alternatively, two booms could be included, with one affixed oneach arm 440A and 440B of band 412 and corresponding to each eye of theuser. As a further alternative, a single display 454 could be used witha prism or other structure configured to extend over both eyes of theuser for displaying an image viewable by both eyes.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, device 510 has a band 512 thatincludes a compliant inner portion 538 and a resilient outer portion548. This arrangement is further illustrated in the exploded view ofFIG. 10. Inner portion 538 can include any portions of the band 512 thatare intended to contact the user's head. In the particular embodimentshown, inner portion 538 can define the entire inner surface 539 of band512 to ensure that the compliant material of inner portion makes contactwith the user's head regardless of the area of band 512 along whichcontact is made with the user's head. Inner portion 538 can be made ofany material that can provide a degree of compliance to enhance thecomfort of the fit of band 512 on the user's head while being able toretain its general shape. Acceptable materials include various foams,such as foam rubber, neoprene, natural or synthetic leather, and variousfabrics. In an embodiment, inner portion 530 is made from aninjection-molded or cast TPE. The compliance of the material of innerportion 530 can be measured by the durometer of the material. In anexample, inner portion 438 can be made from a TPE having a durometer ofbetween 50 and 70. Inner portion 538 can also be formed having a hollowpassage therethrough or a channel formed therein opposite inner surface539. Such a passage or channel can be used to route any wiringassociated with boom 514. For example, in an embodiment a battery (notshow) can be housed in one of the earpieces 546 of band 512 that can beconnected with the internal components of boom 514 to provide powertherefor. This connection can be made by wired routed through a channelor hollow passage through inner portion 538.

Outer portion 548 of band 512 can be made of a resiliently flexiblematerial such as metal or plastic. In general, the nature of such amaterial should be such that outer portion 548 can maintain the desiredshape for band 512 while allowing some flexibility so that band 512 canexpand to fit on a user's head while applying a comfortable pressurethereto to help retain band 512 on the user's head. In some embodiments,outer portion 548 can be elastically deformable within a range that willallow it to be worn as such on a user's head and plastically deformableabove the elastically deformable range to allow the user to makeadjustments to the shape of band 548. In other embodiments, outerportion 548 is elastically deformable up to a sufficiently highthreshold that a user is sufficiently unable to permanently alter theshape of band 512. Acceptable materials for outer portion 548 includemetals such as aluminum, nickel, titanium (including grade 5 titanium),various steels (including spring steel, stainless steel or the like), oralloys including these and other metals. The thickness of outer portion548 can be adjusted, depending on the material used, to give the desiredflexibility characteristics.

As shown in FIG. 9, inner portion 538 can have a profile such that it atleast partially fits within a channel 549 formed by outer portion 548.In the example shown, inner portion 538 can be sized to fit withinchannel 549 along a relatively narrow portion thereof opposite insidesurface 539. Inner portion 538 can then extend inward past outer portion548 and can be relatively wider along such a portion, which can includeinner surface 539. Channel 549 can be configured to also accept anywiring of band 512 therein or to close a partially open channel formedin inner portion 539 to hold such wiring.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, earpieces 546 can beintegrally formed with inner portion 538 and can extend beyond ends 544of outer portion 548. In these embodiments, inner portion 538 caninclude internal support within the portions thereof that form earpieces546. Such internal support can include electronics housings that cancontain batteries or other electronic circuitry associated with device510. The internal support can also include resilient members such asspring elements (not shown) to help provide flexion of band 512 andretention pressure against a wearer's head. Such spring elements canalso be plastically deformable to allow for user adjustment of theearpieces 546. Lengths of armature wire can be used to provide suchcharacteristics. Any internal support within earpieces 546 can extendinto the area of inner portion 538 that is within outer portion 548 toprovide additional support therefor.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a boom 514 that is in a configuration to fitover a right eye of a user in a general form that is a mirror image of aform such at that of FIG. 5 that is configured for use over a user'sleft eye. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7, the embodiment of FIG.10A can be mirrored or inverted in a version that can be worn over theuser's left eye.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the attachment feature 532 of band512 includes a track 536 that extends along a length of arm 540A. Theattachment between boom 514 and band 512 can be configured to allowadjustment between the relative positions of band 512 and boom 514. Boom514 includes an attachment feature 532 including a screw 566, the shankof which fits within track 536 with the head of screw 566 extendingoutward along the body of the attachment feature 532. In such anarrangement, boom 514 can be affixed to attachment feature 532 usingscrew 566 such that boom 514 can be moved forward and backward relativeto band 512 by sliding screw 566 within track 536. Such adjustment canprovide various forms of “eye relief” such as by compensating fordifferent eye positions such as for users with deep-set eyes or witheyes positioned relatively close to brow. Additionally, the eye reliefprovided by the forward and backward adjustability of attachment 532 canallow display 554 to be positioned clear of the user's eyelashesincluding those of users with relatively long eyelashes. Screw 566 canthen be tightened into housing 552 to secure the position of boom 514relative to band 512. Housing 552 can be configured to permit somerotation of boom 514 relative to attachment portion 532 such that therotational position of boom 514 can also be fixed by tightening screw566 into housing 552. This attachment can also incorporate a spring (notshown) or the like positioned between housing 552 and attachment feature532 such that boom 514 is biased away therefrom. This can allow thelateral position of boom 514, and thus display 554, to be adjusted bytightening screw 566, which can draw housing 552 closer to attachmentfeature 532. In either arrangement, boom 514 can be such that it can bedisassembled from band 512 by loosening screw 566 until it is removedfrom housing 552. In other embodiments, the screw 566 can have a stopperor similar structure on the end thereof that is within housing 552 suchthat screw 566 cannot be removed and, thus boom 514 cannot be detachedfrom band 512. Track 536 can include conductive features such as exposedwire segments or traces partially embedded therein that can align withfurther conductive features positioned on housing 552 of boom 514 toallow connection between electronic elements in the band 512 and theelectronic components (including the image source or touch-based input570) in boom 514. In other embodiments, an external wire (not shown) canextend out from band 512 and plug into an outlet (not shown) on boom 514to achieve a desired electrical connection therebetween. Band 512 caninclude additional wires that run through at least a portion thereof tofurther connect such components that may be located remotely from eachother.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of device 610 in which band 612includes a nosebridge 620 affixed to central portion 630 thereof toprovide support for central portion 630 on the nose of a wearer, ratherthan the wearer's brow. In the embodiment shown, nosebridge 620 includesa pair of bridge arms 622 that extend from the central portion 630. Inthe view of the embodiment of device assembly 610 shown in FIG. 11,bridge arms 622 extend in a downward direction from central portion 630.As in other figures, the orientation of device assembly 610 shown inFIG. 12 generally corresponds to the orientation of device 610 whenbeing worn by a user when the user's head is in a neutral, uprightposition. The description of bridge arms 622 extending downward fromcentral portion 630 is made in such a reference frame and is done forpurposes of the present description. Discussion of any other relativereference directions is also made for similar purposes and none areintended to be limiting with respect to the present disclosure, unlessexplicitly stated.

Bridge arms 622 can include respective pads 624 thereon, which can bepositioned to rest on parts of the nose of the wearer. Pads 624 can bemade of a material that is softer than arms 622 for purposes of comfort.Additionally the material that pads 624 are made from can be flexible orhave a texture that prevents slippage along the surface of the user'snose. Bridge arms 622 can be flexible to further provide a comfortablefit and or grip on the user's nose. Further, bridge arms 622 can bedeformably bendable and repositionable so that the position of pads 624can be changed to best fit the user. This can include movement closertogether or farther apart or fore and aft relative to central portion630, which can adjust the height of central portion 630 and,accordingly, the position of boom 614 and its display 654 relative tothe user's eye. Further adjustment of display and other structuresthereof can be similar to those in the embodiments described above, ascan the structures used to affix boom 614 to band 612. In otherembodiments, structures similar to arms and pads can be integrallyformed with central portion 630 and can be structured such that largeror smaller areas of the nosebridge 620 contact the nose of the user,compared to the embodiment shown. A device 610 of this type can allowfor weight distribution configurations (as discussed above with respectto FIGS. 5-7) in which more weight can be distributed on the front sideof the user's ear. In an example, in such a configuration, up to about60% of the weight of device 610 can be supported by a wearer's nosethrough contact with nosebridge 620.

Additional components can be included in the various device assembliesdescribed herein. These components can include additional inputs,control circuitry boards, antennae or the like. The various locations inwhich these additional components are located on or in such a deviceassembly can also be selected to allow for a predetermined weightdistribution. Some examples of additional components are shown in FIGS.12 and 13. The embodiment of device 710 in FIG. 12 includes a band 612that wraps entirely around the head of a wearer. In such an embodiment,the wraparound portion 684 can be integrally formed with band 612 orwith a portion of band (such as an inner portion 538 shown in FIGS. 9and 10). Alternatively, wraparound portion 684 can be a separatestructure that can be assembled with a band 612 in place of earpieces(such as earpieces 446 in FIG. 5) that can themselves be removablyassembled with band 412. Wraparound portion 684 can be configured for asecure fit in contact with the back of a wearer's head to help holddevice 610 in position thereon (such as during activities requiring agreat deal of movement). Alternatively, wraparound portion 684 can berelatively looser fitting when device 610 is worn in an operationalposition, allowing the user to remove device 610 from the user's headand continue to wear the device around his or her neck. Wraparoundportion 684 can be configured to house one or more batteries to provideelectrical current for device 610 and internal connections and wiringfor carrying such current. In an example, wraparound portion 684 canhouse one or more flexible battery structures to allow wraparoundportion 684 to bend or flex, such as to conform to the user's head orneck.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of device 710 with earphones 790 integratedwith band 712. In the embodiment shown, earphones 970 are connected bywires 792 to the end of earpieces 746. This arrangement can allow forearpieces 746 to be swapped with other earpieces discussed herein (suchas earpieces 446 in FIG. 5) such that the user can selectively utilizedevice 710 with or without earphones 790. Earphones 790 can allow device710 to present audio to the wearer that can, for example be associatedwith information presented on display 754. In an example, the device 710can give a vocal request for the user to make a selection from itemspresented in a list on display 745. Earphones 790 can also allow formusic or the like to be played through device 710. Such music can bestored in internal memory of device 710 or can be stored in memory ofanother connected device such as a smartphone or a computer or canstream to device 710 over the internet. Additionally, the earphones 790can present the audio from a telephone call transmitted from a phone viaBluetooth™ or the like.

Although the description herein has been made with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent disclosure. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: a bandconfigured to be worn on the head of a user, the band including acentral portion and first and second temple portions extending fromopposing sides of the central portion, the central portion beingconfigured to contact a user brow and the temple portions beingconfigured to contact portions of the head of the user near respectiveears thereof, wherein the band is configured to flexibly curve inwardalong the central portion to adjust to contours of the user brow,wherein the band includes a resiliently flexible structural shell thatat least partially surrounds a pliable inner member and the structuralshell is disposed on a side of the band opposite an inner surface of thepliable inner member; and an operational unit including: a displayelement; a housing having an arm portion affixed to the first templeportion of the band and defining a longitudinal axis, the housing alsoincluding an elbow portion defining a display end of the housing andsupporting the display element such that the display element extendsalong a display axis that is angled with respect to the longitudinalaxis and such that the display element is positionable over an eye ofthe user; and an image generating device disposed within the housing andconfigured for generating an image presentable to the user on thedisplay element, wherein the display element is generally transparentand configured to overlay the image presentable to the user with asurrounding environment.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein theoperational unit further includes an input device affixed to the housingand configured for receiving from the user an input associated withinformation presentable on the display element.
 3. The device of claim2, wherein the housing of the operational unit defines an outer wall,and wherein the input device includes touch-sensitive circuitry disposedwithin the housing adjacent to the outer wall, the touch-sensitivecircuitry being configured to receive a touch input from the userthrough the outer wall.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein thetouch-sensitive circuitry is disposed behind a portion of the outerwall, and wherein an outside surface of the outer wall includes atexture defined therein in an area that overlies the touch-sensitivecircuitry.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the display axis is angledat between about 80° and 110° with respect to the longitudinal axis. 6.The device of claim 1, wherein the arm portion and the elbow portion arediscrete elements rotatably affixed to each other about a rotation axissubstantially parallel to the display axis such that the display elementis adjustable toward and away from a brow area of the user's head byrotation of the elbow portion relative to the arm portion.
 7. The deviceof claim 6, wherein the rotation axis is positionable such that italigns with a focal center of the user's eye.
 8. The device of claim 7,wherein the display element includes a planar viewing surface, andwherein the rotation of the display element about the focal center ofthe user's eye is such that the planar viewing surface remainssubstantially normal to a line extending therefrom to the focal centerthrough a range of adjustment of the display element.
 9. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the arm portion of the housing includes a first trackelement that is configured to slideably attach with a second trackelement included on one of the first and second temple portions of theband, and wherein the slidable engagement between the first and secondtrack elements is configured to allow adjustment of the display elementtoward and away from an eye of the user.
 10. The device of claim 1,further including at least one electronic element disposed within aninterior cavity of the band, wherein the at least one electronic elementis electrically connected with the image generating device of theoperational unit.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the firstand second temple portions define, respectively, a first end and asecond end, and wherein the band is of a flexible structure such thatthe first end and second end are moveable toward and away from eachother to provide a securing force of the first and second templeportions against the respective portions of the head of the user. 12.The device of claim 1, wherein the band includes a flexible outerportion disposed around a more rigid and resiliently flexible structuralmember.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the central portion of theband further includes a nosepiece depending therefrom, wherein theportion of the face of the user that the central portion is configuredto contact is a portion of the nose of the user, and wherein thenosepiece makes such contact.
 14. The device of claim 1, furtherincluding a camera having a lens thereof, the camera being attached tothe operational unit such that the lens of the camera is exposed on thehousing within the elbow portion thereof and is directed substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis.
 15. The device of claim 14, whereinthe operational unit includes a button configured to receive from theuser an input to direct the device to capture an image using the camera.16. The device of claim 15, wherein the button is positioned on thehousing such that it is configured to be activated by the user byapplying a pinching motion to the housing including contact with thebutton.
 17. The device of claim 1, further including a camera having alens thereof, the camera being attached to the band such that the lensof the camera is exposed thereon and is directed substantially parallelto the longitudinal axis.
 18. The device of claim 1, further including aplurality of cameras having respective lenses thereof, the cameras beingattached to the band in an array thereof extending over a length of theband.
 19. The device of claim 1, further including an audio outputdevice configured for contact with a portion of one of the user's earsand to deliver an audio output of the device thereto, wherein the audiooutput device is affixed to one of the temple portions of the band. 20.An electronic device, comprising: a band configured to be worn on thehead of a user, the band including a central portion and first andsecond temple portions extending from opposing sides of the centralportion to respective ends thereof, the central portion being configuredto contact a user brow and the temple portions being configured tocontact portions of the head of the user near respective ears thereof,the band further including an electronics housing affixed on the end ofthe first temple portion and having a portion that is configured toextend around at least a portion of the respective ear of the user, theelectronics housing containing an electronic element therein, whereinthe band is configured to flexibly curve inward along the centralportion to adjust to contours of the user brow, wherein the bandincludes a resiliently flexible structural shell that at least partiallysurrounds a pliable inner member and the structural shell is disposed ona side of the band opposite an inner surface of the pliable innermember; and an operational unit including a display element, a housinghaving an arm portion affixed to the first temple portion of the bandand defining a longitudinal axis, the housing also including an elbowportion defining a display end of the housing and supporting the displayelement such that the display element extends along a display axis thatis angled with respect to the longitudinal axis and such that thedisplay element is positionable over an eye of the user, and an imagegenerating device disposed within the housing and configured forgenerating an image presentable to the user on the display element, theimage generating device being electrically connected with the electronicelement of the band, wherein the display element is generallytransparent and configured to overlay the image presentable to the userwith a surrounding environment.
 21. The device of claim 20, wherein theelectronic element includes conductive connections configured forconnecting with a battery, and wherein the conductive connections arefurther configured to supply current from the battery to the imagegenerating device.
 22. The device of claim 20, wherein the operationalunit further includes an input device affixed to the housing, andwherein the input device is also electrically connected with the atleast one electronic element of the band.
 23. The device of claim 20,wherein the operational unit is positioned on a first side of therespective ear of the user such that it has a center of mass at a pointdisposed on the first side of the ear, and wherein the electronicshousing is configured to extend around at least a portion of the sameear of the user, the electronics housing being configured to have acenter of mass at a point disposed on a second side of the ear of theuser.
 24. The device of claim 23, wherein the electronics housing isfurther configured such that an overall weight of the device, when beingworn by the user, is distributed among the portion of the face of theuser and the ear of the user such that a greater portion of the overallweight is applied to the ear.
 25. The device of claim 20, wherein theelectronic element includes electronic circuitry configured to perform afunction associated with the device.
 26. An electronic device,comprising: a band configured to be worn on the head of a user, the bandincluding a central portion and first and second temple portionsextending from opposing sides of the central portion, the centralportion being configured to contact a user brow and the temple portionsbeing configured to contact portions of the head of the user nearrespective ears thereof, wherein the band is configured to flexiblycurve inward along the central portion to adjust to contours of the userbrow, wherein the band includes a resiliently flexible structural shellthat at least partially surrounds a pliable inner member and thestructural shell is disposed on a side of the band opposite an innersurface of the pliable inner member; and an operational unit including:a display element; a housing having an arm portion affixed to the bandand defining a longitudinal axis and an outer wall, the housing alsoincluding an elbow portion defining a display end of the housing andsupporting the display element such that the display element extendsalong a display axis that is angled with respect to the longitudinalaxis and such that the display element is positionable over an eye ofthe user; an image generating device disposed within the housing andconfigured for generating an image presentable to the user on thedisplay element; and touch-sensitive circuitry disposed within thehousing adjacent to the outer wall, the touch-sensitive circuitry beingconfigured to receive a touch input from the user through the outerwall, the input being associated with information presentable on thedisplay element, wherein the display element is generally transparentand configured to overlay the image presentable to the user with asurrounding environment.